An Icon is discontinued

[GMArthur]

 I know Surefire lights are not everyone's cup of tea, however I think it's worth noting that they have discontinued several of their lights - including the 6P and 6P LED. This is like Ford saying they aren't making the F-150 anymore. These are classic lights that are fine as is, and are exceptional hosts for lego builds and modding fun. Just giving everyone here a heads up while they are still easy to find and in some places discounted to make room for the new models. Get yourself one now if your interested because as soon as these are gone the secondary prices for these lights will go way up. I know I'm buying a spare 6P LED as a backup. I'm not a fan of the new sealed head designs.

[Gareth]

Am I wrong to be very surprised?  For some reason I'd always assumed that they were a couple of Surefire's best sellers.

On a similar note I spotted the other day that the Gerber Infinity Ultra has disappeared from the main UK Gerber site.  Is it the same over on the other side of the pond?

[Mike 208]

According to the Surefire website, the 6P is not being discontinued nor is the 6PD Defender.  However, the LED versions (6PL, 6PDL) have been discontinued, along with the 9P (for the second time).  Surefire is discontinuing alot of models (along with accessories), many that were very popular (and some new models as well, i.e. S2, AZ2, AZ2-S).  On a positive note, many of the discontinued models are being discounted by various retailers, so there are some pretty good deals to be found.

[powernoodle]

Back in the day, the 6P and its siblings were the gold standard.   These lights have been largely supplanted by smaller, brighter, regulated LED varieties which (arguably) are superior in almost every way.  I would still hate to the 6P disappear, though I will probably never buy another.




Lightly modded 6P for more output.


Hot enough to cook the lens.  This one now sports a Malkoff LED drop-in.

[roguesw]

The 6 P was my first flashlight and when the KL3 head
first came out it went on duty on the 6P. Its in my old house somewhere. Maybe its time to mod it.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Am I wrong to be very surprised?  For some reason I'd always assumed that they were a couple of Surefire's best sellers.

On a similar note I spotted the other day that the Gerber Infinity Ultra has disappeared from the main UK Gerber site.  Is it the same over on the other side of the pond?

NOOOOO

[powernoodle]

On a similar note I spotted the other day that the Gerber Infinity Ultra has disappeared from the main UK Gerber site. 

Here are some old school Infinity lights marketed by CMG.  They were rockin' back when the 6P was king.

http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/cmg_infinity_ultra.htm

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

On a similar note I spotted the other day that the Gerber Infinity Ultra has disappeared from the main UK Gerber site. 

Here are some old school Infinity lights marketed by CMG.  They were rockin' back when the 6P was king.

http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/cmg_infinity_ultra.htm

(Image removed from quote.)

I'd love to get one of the original Infinities

[Sazabi]

SMKW has a number of Infinity Ultra M's still available; about $12 or so out of my pocket, if anyone wants any forwarded to them.    If any of you want in, you have two days to let me know.

[Black Rose]

On a similar note I spotted the other day that the Gerber Infinity Ultra has disappeared from the main UK Gerber site.  Is it the same over on the other side of the pond?

Still being shown on the US Gerber site.

I haven't seen them in stores in ages.

I have several of them, including one still in it's package.

[powernoodle]

I'd love to get one of the original Infinities

I believe that my "original" Infinity lights have some kind of mil-spec markings and don't say CMG on them, but I would have to check.

This is a pic from several years ago, but I think the mil-spec Infinity is on the far right, and the commercial flavor is next to it.  Several years ago when I began my flashlight addiction, the 6P, Infinity and Arc lineup were a big deal.  They were cutting edge at the time.  We had no idea what was in store for us.  Things have really changed.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

There#s a lot to be said for the original post maglite torches in my opinion, as they just work and work

Would love to get a CMG Infinity to keep all my Gerber IU company

[ICanFixThat]

It looks like someone bribed the hangman.

According to CPF, based on changed on Sirefire's website, the P6 has been removed from the discontinued list, so we might see it around for a bit longer.  Hard to say right now, we'll have to check back in a few months. 

I think if they wanted to save one it should have been the C2-HA not the 6P.

[NutSAK]

I'd love to get one of the original Infinities

I believe that my "original" Infinity lights have some kind of mil-spec markings and don't say CMG on them, but I would have to check.

This is a pic from several years ago, but I think the mil-spec Infinity is on the far right, and the commercial flavor is next to it.  Several years ago when I began my flashlight addiction, the 6P, Infinity and Arc lineup were a big deal.  They were cutting edge at the time.  We had no idea what was in store for us.  Things have really changed.

(Image removed from quote.)

What you have there is a CMG-bodied Infinity Ultra (military/government model with HA finish).  There were commercial CMGs also with that body, with type II anodize, and regular "non-ultra" models with a powder-coat finish.  There were also early Gerber Infinity Ultras with that body in the company transition.

Second to right is the Gerber-bodied Infinity Ultra.  Gerber designed that body and it has remained the same since the transition from CMG.  All Gerbers are the "Ultra" (brighter) models, and have gradually gotten considerably brighter and more efficient than the original CMGs due to upgrades from the LED manufacturer, Nichia.

[ICanFixThat]

I'd love to get one of the original Infinities

I believe that my "original" Infinity lights have some kind of mil-spec markings and don't say CMG on them, but I would have to check.

This is a pic from several years ago, but I think the mil-spec Infinity is on the far right, and the commercial flavor is next to it.  Several years ago when I began my flashlight addiction, the 6P, Infinity and Arc lineup were a big deal.  They were cutting edge at the time.  We had no idea what was in store for us.  Things have really changed.

(Image removed from quote.)

I could pass on the infinities if I could have the other lights pictured!!  nice tailcap on the E1E, and I have no idea what the black one is, but it looks nice! 

You've got some great lights from the early days of the small, but mighty, LED.

[Carthas]

It's a shame to see those very moddable lights go. I wonder if the 6PX is Surefire successor to the 6P? It certainly isn't as modifiable, but does Surefire really want that?

[jekostas]

It's a shame to see those very moddable lights go. I wonder if the 6PX is Surefire successor to the 6P? It certainly isn't as modifiable, but does Surefire really want that?

Absolutely they do.  If not for selling more accessories and parts, it's much easier on Surefire for warranty claims.

[Carthas]

It's a shame to see those very moddable lights go. I wonder if the 6PX is Surefire successor to the 6P? It certainly isn't as modifiable, but does Surefire really want that?

Absolutely they do.  If not for selling more accessories and parts, it's much easier on Surefire for warranty claims.

True, there is that. But a lot people who mod these light get the Surefire body, and install an after market dropin from another vendor. It would make better sense from a business perspective for Surefire to make their lights bulletproof and sealed, or build lights like the lx2, or e2dl, that have the head sealed but removeable, for two reasons:

1. It protects their investment. If Owners want to upgrade their lights, they either buy a new one in the case of the "cheaper" sealed lights, or with the more expensive ones like the lx2 or e2dl, potentially upgrade by purchasing new heads from Surefire. After market vendors would be less likely to manufacture a head for a specific model of flashlight, so owners would be forced to purchase upgrades from Surefire.

2. It protects their image. There are a lot of vendors developing dropin modules for these lights. Some are good quality, others aren't. I'm sure a number of these modded lights are making it onto the second hand market. If one of these lights gets into the hands of a layman, and they have issues with the aftermaket part, all they will see is the Surefire logo on the side of the light. They either send it in to Surefire to fix it, in which case Surefire has to deal with the resulting support headache, or the new owner simply turfs the light, and rubbishes Surefire's name to anyone who asks or listens.

From a warranty perspective, it may be cheaper for Surefire to build a sealed bulletproof light that is less likely to fail, and for those that do - test it, turf it, and send out a new one. Labor would cost less at least.